Ten years after the murder, I burned out.
I was tired of journalism, tired of victim issues and decided money would solve it all. I decided to go into Real Estate. I took the course, I received my license, found a wonderful business partner and I thought I was set. The housing market looked promising.
My first house was being sold by an elderly couple moving into an independent living community where they would be looked after… this was their first step in down-sizing.
I sensed their grief, their anguish and their fears as we set up that first show.
It went really well. A promising buyer came through the door, a man, middle aged, who asked all the right questions as we toured the first floor. Then we went into the basement…. Somehow we all felt a little more vulnerable in the basement – unfinished for the most part
And that’s when the man cleared his throat. “By the way,” he looked directly at me, excluding the owners very deliberately in his body language and eyes. “I haven’t come to buy a house.”
From the corner of my eye, I could see the startled reaction of the owner of the house. Instant anger.
The buyer continued. “I’ve come to see you.” He said looking directly into my eyes with an astonishing fierceness.
I was confused. “Me?”
“Yes – my daughter was murdered as well."
Wrong place. Wrong time.
I glanced at the owners – their eyes were huge. “Who are you?” they asked staring at me.
The stranger told them who I was. Apparently I wasn’t a real estate agent - I was a mother of a murdered child.
I ushered him out quickly, making arrangements to meet with him later, then turned my attention to the disappointed owners. They were inconsolable.
I had to agree with them. It was a complete disaster. I was a complete disaster. I attracted the wrong attention. I was limited. I was resentful.
I had to revision my life - take stock - forgive. Change direction.
I resigned shortly after
If you live long enough, you'll make mistakes. But if you learn from them, you'll be a better person. It's how you handle adversity, not how it affects you. The main thing is never quit, never quit, never quit. - William J. Clinton
I then applied to MCCC and became director of the Victims' Voice program....shortly after.
I was tired of journalism, tired of victim issues and decided money would solve it all. I decided to go into Real Estate. I took the course, I received my license, found a wonderful business partner and I thought I was set. The housing market looked promising.
My first house was being sold by an elderly couple moving into an independent living community where they would be looked after… this was their first step in down-sizing.
I sensed their grief, their anguish and their fears as we set up that first show.
It went really well. A promising buyer came through the door, a man, middle aged, who asked all the right questions as we toured the first floor. Then we went into the basement…. Somehow we all felt a little more vulnerable in the basement – unfinished for the most part
And that’s when the man cleared his throat. “By the way,” he looked directly at me, excluding the owners very deliberately in his body language and eyes. “I haven’t come to buy a house.”
From the corner of my eye, I could see the startled reaction of the owner of the house. Instant anger.
The buyer continued. “I’ve come to see you.” He said looking directly into my eyes with an astonishing fierceness.
I was confused. “Me?”
“Yes – my daughter was murdered as well."
Wrong place. Wrong time.
I glanced at the owners – their eyes were huge. “Who are you?” they asked staring at me.
The stranger told them who I was. Apparently I wasn’t a real estate agent - I was a mother of a murdered child.
I ushered him out quickly, making arrangements to meet with him later, then turned my attention to the disappointed owners. They were inconsolable.
I had to agree with them. It was a complete disaster. I was a complete disaster. I attracted the wrong attention. I was limited. I was resentful.
I had to revision my life - take stock - forgive. Change direction.
I resigned shortly after
If you live long enough, you'll make mistakes. But if you learn from them, you'll be a better person. It's how you handle adversity, not how it affects you. The main thing is never quit, never quit, never quit. - William J. Clinton
I then applied to MCCC and became director of the Victims' Voice program....shortly after.